The Boston Red Sox could face steep competition from an American League East foe when trying to address a key need this offseason.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Baltimore Orioles are expected to be the “most aggressive” team in pursuit of pitching this offseason. Nightengale also mentioned Boston among the clubs likely seeking pitching upgrades after the 2025 season.
Baltimore seemed on the cusp of building a perennial contender when winning 101 games in 2023 and returning to the playoffs last season. The Orioles will instead finish last in the division, entering their final game with a 75-86 record.
Their offense didn’t meet expectations, but they could bounce back with better health and production from a promising young lineup. Baltimore’s pitching staff, on the other hand, has considerable room for growth.
Even with Trevor Rogers posting a 1.81 ERA in an unlikely comeback campaign, the Orioles still rank 25th in team ERA. None of their other pitchers with more than five starts has an ERA under 4.20.
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The rotation received two promising late-season returns from Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, and Dean Kremer could remain in the fold as a solid back-end piece. Yet the Orioles probably need at least one upgrade to replace pending free agents Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano to jump back into contention next year.
They also must address the bullpen, as Felix Bautista recently underwent surgery on his torn rotator cuff and labrum that will sideline the star closer for most of, if not all of, the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox could lose a valuable member of their current rotation if Giolito opts out and signs elsewhere this offseason. Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison have emerged as potential long-term solutions, but Boston may still desire a dependable veteran to headline the staff alongside Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.
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